GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- On March 31, the Minister of Health Cornelius de Weever met with representatives of the Unions to discuss the agenda and some other pressing matters.
After the general introduction of the new Minister, it was down to business, whereby both sides discussed the policies in regards to 2011, the tripartite committee, the labor affairs agency, the tasks of the Department of Labor, amongst other topics.
The Minister wanted to sit down and have a discussion about the current and future state of affairs as it concerns St. Maarten, the unions, laws, the labor situations, and what and how the working relationship will be and/or can be improved so that the working community feels comfortable and confident that Government is there to assist and to mediate as best as it can.
Present at the meeting were representatives from the different unions from different industries, namely, WIFOL, WICLU, WITU, Chamber of Unions, WIHCUA, SMCU, ASEWI, and WIHCUA.
Other topics of interest that were discussed: the role of the Secretary General in the labor affairs situations and as it relates to dismissals, the laws as a new country, the new structure of the department, who is responsible for what, etc.
Minister De Weever shared with the unions that he is there to work with them in general and in the Tripartite Committee in the interest of the people/workers of St. Maarten.
